Writer's Block: Cryptozoology

[jrittenhouse]

The Tatzelwurm.  First Encountered in Heuvelmans' On the Track of Unknown Animals
See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatzelwurm
http://www.unknownexplorers.com/tatzelwurm.php
Read more... )

Comments

[ericcoleman]

You're making me want to do bad things with this question ...

[jrittenhouse]

Eric, I don't have to tempt you. You do all right by yourself.

[peteralway]

You know, there is something very sad about cryptozoology, which really struck me reading about the tatzelwurm. I really want these wonderful bizzare creatures to exist. I want there to be a Nessie, I want there to be dinosaurs in the Amazon, and now, yes, I want there to be a tatzelwurm. But alas, not only is it highly unlikely that any of those wonderful beasts ever exists, but the best you could hope for any of these species is that they would be recently extinct or on the verge of extinction.

Sigh.

[jrittenhouse]

I got my crypto exposure from my mom, who had the Heuvelmans book around. Really, it's a great book. Basics of crypto there...

"In 1821, Cuvier made what has been called his "Rash Dictum": he remarked that it was unlikely that any large animal remained undiscovered. Many such discoveries have been made since Cuvier's statement."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Cuvier

[princeofcairo]

Mothman. Now and forever. Though as a kid, sea serpents.

[marklafon]

Two favorites. First is the hoop snake. Second, and even more unlikely, is an honest politician.

[debgeisler]

The latter was my choice...then I realized that we needed a "willing suspension of disbelief," so I'll opt for the roc.

[marklafon]

There is indirect support for the roc. They feed their chicks elephants. Elephant herds are shrinking. Therefore the number of roc chicks must be on the upswing.